PeopleNet announced a major effort to serve French-speaking markets in North America, including a French version of PeopleNet BLU and the appointment of Richard Budzyn as an account manager.
Ron Konezny, PeopleNet chief executive officer, and Jamie Williams, president of PeopleNet Canada, announced that PeopleNet BLU — an open driver-friendly onboard platform recently introduced — now is available in a French language version. They also said an effort is under way to translate documents and adapt PeopleNet functionality for easy use by French-speaking drivers and fleet operators.
“BLU is a great step forward for all fleets,” Konezny says. “The French version of BLU and our parallel language efforts demonstrate our commitment to this very important part of the North American fleet market.”
Budzyn, who is bilingual, will serve PeopleNet accounts in both English- and French-speaking eastern Canada. “We welcome Richard to the PeopleNet family,” Williams says. “His broad experience and comprehensive knowledge of trucking and of our integrated mobile communications and onboard computing solutions will greatly benefit PeopleNet customers — current and future.”
Budzyn comes to PeopleNet Canada after 13 years with Shaw Tracking, formerly Cancom Tracking, which represents Qualcomm products and services in Canada. Earlier, Budzyn worked for more than 15 years in trucking — in operations, administration and sales — with major truckload and LTL companies, as well as specialized installation and commodity carriers.
Budzyn will serve PeopleNet Canada customers in Quebec and the Maritime provinces. Konezny notes that while the French edition of BLU is an important step in serving French-speaking markets, the richness of all PeopleNet applications, documentation and partnerships will take time to develop properly.
“This is something we have wanted to do for a long time,” Konezny says. “Trucks from excellent fleets based in Quebec are a familiar sight on highways across North America. We look forward to serving these international fleets, as well as fleets that operate closer to home within French-speaking regions.”
